Eight islanders participate in Skippers JV track events

By Stephanie Heelan Cotsonas

The North Kingstown High School girls' junior varsity indoor track team participated in its third of four meets at the Community College of Rhode Island in Lincoln on Saturday. The junior varsity meets are open to any team in the state and no team scores are kept, but the meets are a good indicator of competition for the runners and an indication of the depth for future varsity teams.

There are eight islanders on this year's JV team adding to the strength of the large North squad. All but two of the runners were members of the cross-country team and those two played field hockey. All eight are primarily middle and long distance runners.

Sophomores Tory Dolce and Emily Lester competed in what Head Coach Jen Chabot calls "a double," meaning the two long distance races of the meet, the 1000 and the 1500 meters. "It's not something they look forward to," Chabot said, "but I like to have them try it once."

Caia Diepenbrock had the best finish in the 600 meters for the Skippers with a time of 2:03.8. Maddy Doherty ran the fastest 1500 meters among the islanders with a time of 5:56.60.

Nicole Ethier and Danielle Perez ran the 600 meters and Katie Matley ran the 1500 meters. Hannah Farrelly was a member of the winning 4 x 100 relay team.

Diepenbrock was also a member of the top finishing North 4 x 400 relay team which included Emma Coppola, Machayla Fortin and Jackie Mobley. Perez and Ethier also competed in the 4- by- 400 relay along with Hayley Nannig and Kathleen Nelson of North Kingstown.

It is midway through the season and Chabot stands by her decision not to cut any runners from her team. She reflects on two inexperienced freshmen who ran for her in the past and were awarded All-State honors in their senior years.

Chabot describes the building process of her team as ongoing and she supports the runners on the JV team. "If we get these kids running in meets their freshman and sophomore years, they are competitive at the varsity level by their junior and senior years."

The numbers speak for themselves. Out of 68 girls on the roster, 49 are freshmen or sophomores. The commitment of the younger runners is important in maintaining the depth of the varsity team for next season.

Chabot is happy with her team and she said, "This is a great bunch of kids. All of these kids are hard workers and are dedicated. They are out there doing speed workouts under the lights in the cold, it's not easy."

The junior varsity squad has one more regular season meet this Saturday, Jan. 12, followed by the freshmen and JV state meets in February.